Born and educated in South Africa, Janet fled apartheid after University and went to Drama school in London, but has always maintained close links with her natal country. A long and distinguished acting career began in the golden years of The Royal Shakespeare Company, culminating in a memorable Cleopatra. Many plays in the West End, twice winning The Evening Standard Award, and her film debut in Nicholas and Alexandra resulting in an Academy Award Nomination followed. Her directorial debut was in Johannesburg’s famous Market Theatre with a boycott-breaking production of Othello with the first S. African, John Kani, in the title role. This was 3 years before Mandela was released from jail. Other plays, films and TV roles are too numerous to mention here. She loves working in South Africa and has been a wonderful encourager and support to Thembisa. Janet says:
‘I support Thembisa because in South Africa a little goes a very long way, and Thembisa has a genius for seeking out the needy in the back of beyond. With the generous help of people like you, Thembisa can give these overlooked people the boost they need to feed the children, help the grannies and grow the crops - while adding a dash of vital education. Please PLEASE help us to continue this modest and warmly human charitable work in what is still a desperately deprived continent. Small is always beautiful; Thembisa is both.’
